Carrie Bryan, Alvarado ES

Carrie Bryan, teacher of the gifted, is retiring at the end of this school year after 26 years of service.

She spent her career teaching both pull-out and full-day gifted programs at Adobe Acres, Arroyo del Oso and most recently at Alvarado elementary schools.

Carrie plans to continue working with special needs children by becoming a certified therapeutic horseback riding instructor. She will also keep busy by running a boarding stable, giving riding lessons, working in horse rescue and greyhound adoption, and enjoying the outdoors with her four grandchildren.

She has lots of writing projects planned, including working on her blog "Greening the Dream" (http://greening-the-dream.blogspot.com), and writing several hands-on learning books for parents and teachers of gifted students.